CRICKET: TIGER RON IS LIONS TAMER

ESSEX kept alive their hopes of securing a Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals place with a thrilling one-run victory over Surrey at Chelmsford last night - thanks largely to Eagles skipper Ronnie Irani's five successive fours.

ESSEX kept alive their hopes of securing a Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals place with a thrilling one-run victory over Surrey at Chelmsford last night - thanks largely to Eagles skipper Ronnie Irani's five successive fours.

A match reduced by rain to five overs a side did not start until 9.39pm and the Lions made 70-2 in reply to 71-3.